Anodizing rack construction



Dec. 6, 1966 R. K. WIERWILLE 3,290,238

ANODIZING RACK CONSTRUCTION Filed March 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROBERT K.WIERW|LLE HIS ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 R. K. WIERWILLE 3,290,233

ANODIZING RACK CONSTRUCTION Filed March 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT K. WIERWILLE HIS ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 R. K. WIERWILLE ANODI ZING RACK CONS TRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 16, 1962 INVENTOR ROBERT K.WIERW|LLE BY 24, )ZLW/ HIS ATTORNEYS 1366- 6, 1966 R. K. WlERWlLLE ANODIZING RACK CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 16, 1962 INVENTOR ROBERT K.W|ERW|LLE HIS ATToRNYs United States Patent 3,290,238 ANODIZING RACK CONSTRUCTION Robert K. Wierwille, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Reynolds Metal Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 180,115 Claims. (Cl. 204-297 imposed thereon to cause the anodizing operation in a manner conventional in the art.

The members to be anodized are normally held in the anodizing bath by rack constructions placed in the bath with the members placed in electrical contact with their respective rack constructions so that the rack constructions can be suitably interconnected to one side of a source of electrical current while the anodizing tank is interconnected to the other side of the source of electrical current.

However, it has been found that the anodizing bath has a corrosive effect on such rack constructions whereby the rack constructions readily deteriorate :and need frequent replacement thereof.

According to the teachings of this invention, however, an improved anodizing rack construction is provided which resists such corrosive action of the anodizing bath whereby the rack construction of this invention has a relatively long life.

Further, the rack construction of this invention is so constructed and arranged that the same is readily adapted to hold members in an anodizing bath or the like even though portions thereof have been corroded away in a manner hereinafter described.

In addition, the rack construction of this invention can be inexpensively manufactured and does not have any cavities or concave edges that accumulate and hold corrosive acids.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view, of one embodiment of the anodizing rack construction of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the anodizing rack construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the yoke members of this invention utilized to form the rack construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and is taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, perspective, schematic view illustrating the rack constructions of this invention in one application thereof.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating one method for forming the rack members of this invention.

FIGURE 10 is a rear view of another embodiment of the rack member of this invention.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates the corrosive action on one of the rack members of this invention.

FIGURE 12 is a front view of the structure illustrated in' FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 and illustrates how a member to be anodized peels back the protective coating on the rack member of this invention to provide for electrical contact.

FIGURE 14 is a front view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 13.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly applicable to forming an anodizing rack construction, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide other constructions as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved anodizing rack construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a plurality of like rack members or bars 21 of this invention secured in a manner hereinafter described to an elongated contact member or bar 22, the rack members 21 being disposed transversely relative to the contact member 22 and being vertically spaced thereon whereby a plurality of members 23 to be anodized can be held between adjacent rack members 21 in a manner hereinafter described.

While the rack constructions 20 can be utilized in any suitable manner, one application thereof is illustrated in FIGURE 8 wherein a plurality of rack constructions 20 are disposed in a container or tank 24 holding an anodizing bath 25 which covers the members 23 in a manner conventional in the art. The contact members 22 of the anodizing rack constructions 20 are respectively interconnected to the positive side of a suitable electrical power source while the container or tank 24 is interconnected to the negative side of the electrical power source so that the anodizing operation can take place in a conventional manner.

While the rack members 21 of this invention can be formed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, one method of forming the rack members 21 is illustrated in FIGURE 9 wherein a conventional extruding apparatus 26 extrudes metallic material, such as aluminum containing metallic material or the like, into an elongated rack member stock 21 which is subsequently cut into the desired lengths to form the rack members 21 in a manner hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 9 the extruded rack member stock 21' has an elongated flat web portion 27 provided with opposed edges 28 and 29. An elongated arcuate web portion 30 is integrally interconnected to the lower edge 29 of the flat web portion 27, the arcuate web portion 30 having a substantially semi-circular cross sectional 3 configuration and being provided with a free end 31 which extends beyond a plane passing through the flat web portion 27.

An elongated flange 32 extends outwardly from the free end 31 of the arcuate web portion 30 and is disposed substantially in the same plane as the fiat web portion 27.

After the rack member stock 21' has been extruded by the apparatus 26, the stock 21 is cut into desired lengths to form the rack members 21. For example, each rack member can be approximately forty-five inches in length.

Each rack member 21 has the arcuate web portion 30 and flange 32 thereof cut in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6 to define a plurality of spaced, aligned fingers 33 extending from the flat web portion 27, each finger 33 carrying the outwardly directed flange 32 at the free end 31 thereof.

As ilustrated in FIGURE 6, the slots 34 defining the spacing between adjacent fingers 33 form feathered concave portions 35 at the junctures of the fingers 33 with the flat web portion 27 to prevent the fingers 33 from breaking off from the flat web portion 27 when the fingers 33 are flexed in a manner hereinafter described.

Further, since the concave portions 35 of the rack members 21 face downwardly, the portions 35 do not trap any corrosive acid therein.

After the spring fingers 33 have been formed in the above manner, the upper edge 28 of the flat web portion 27 and the free edges 36 of each flange 32 of each rack member 21 are cut away to form substantially V-shaped holding notches 37 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The V-shaped notches 37 formed in the web portion 27 of each rack member 21 are vertically aligned with the V-shaped notches 37 formed in the fingers 33 thereof for a purpose hereinafter described.

Subsequently, three or any desired number of the medial fingers 33 of each rack member 21 are cut away at 38 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Thereafter, two apertures 39 are formed through the flat Web portion 27 of each rack member 21 in the. region of the cut-away portion 38 thereof for a purpose hereinafter described.

To protect the rack member 21 from the aforementioned corrosive action of the anodizing bath 25, each rack member 21 is provided with a protective coating in the following manner.

Each rack member 21 is etched for approximately ten minutes and then has an alodine coating applied thereto.

Thereafter each rack member 21 has two coats of an epoxy resin applied thereto, the epoxy resin coating being generally indicated by the reference numeral 40 in FIG- URES 3, and 6.

While any suitable epoxy resin can be utilized, one type of epoxy resin 40 which has been found suitable is Clear Devran, No. 640-1, and comprises a one part resin base epoxy without an activator.

A solvent is added to the Clear Devran epoxy to facilitate dipping of the rack member 21 therein.

After such an epoxy resin has been coated on the rack member 21, the coated rack member 21 is baked for approximately twenty minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

A-nother epoxy resin which has been utilized is known as Duro-Lok Epoxy No. 76-4712 and Hardner No. 76- 4713. This is a two-part epoxy which can be applied by brush and allowed to dry.

Another epoxy resin which has been found satisfactory is known as epoxy No. 12611 and Hardner No. K5815. This is a two-part epoxy resin which is applied by brush and allowed to dry.

After each rack member 21 has been coated in the above manner, the epoxy resin 40 on the fiat sides of the V-shaped notches 37 is removed by sanding or the like.

Also, the epoxy resin 40 is removed on the rear side of the flat web portion 27 of each rack member 21 in the region disposed between the apertures 39 thereof for a purpose hereinafter described.

After the rack members 21 have been formed in the above manner, the rack members 21 are now adapted to be assembled to form the rack constructions 20 of this invention.

As previously stated, the rack members 21 are adapted to be secured to the contact member 22 in any suitable manner whereby the uncoated contact member 22 is adapted to engage the rear surface of the flat web portions 27 of the rack members 21 in the uncoated region thereof between the apertures 39 to provide electrical contact between the contract member 22 and the rack members 21.

A plurality of yoke members 41 of this invention, FIGURE 4, are utilized for securing the rack members 21 to the contact members 22 and are made in any suitable material.

For example, the yoke members 41 can be formed by extruding aluminum-containing metallic material or the like in a conventional extnudin g apparatus, as desired.

Each yoke-like member 41 has a flat web portion 42 provided with outwardly directed enlargements 43 .at the opposed ends thereof, the enlargements 43 having inwardly tapering surfaces 44 joining the front surface 45 of the web portion 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The yoke member 41 is so constructed and arranged, that the contact member 22 can engage the tapering surfaces 44 of the enlargements 43 thereof when the yoke member 41 is assembled to the contact member 22 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Each enlargement 43 of each yoke member 42 has an aperture 46 passing therethro-ugh whereby the apertures 46 in each yoke member 41 are adapted to register with the apertures 39 formed in each rack member 21.

After the yoke members 41 are formed in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4, each yoke member 41 is etched for approximately five minutes and has an alod-ine coating applied thereto.

Thereafter, two coats of the epoxy resin 40 of any of the above types are applied to the entire yoke member 41.

After the epoxy coatings 40 on the yoke members 41 have dried, the yoke members 41 can be utilized to secure the rack members 21 to the contact members 22 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3.

In particular, each rack member 21 is assembled to its respective contact member 22 in such a manner that the uncoated surface of the flat web portion 27 of the rack member 21 is disposed in engagement with the uncoated contact member 22 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3 and the yoke member 41 is assembled to the other side of the contact member and is interconnected to the rack member 21 by a plurality of bolts 47 respectively passing through the aligned apertures 46 and 39.

When the bolts 47 are tightened, the yoke member 41 and rack member 21 compress the contact member 22 therebetween whereby the rack member 21 is held in its proper position on the contact member 22 by friction therebetween.

While only two such rack members 21 are illustrated as being secured to each cont-act member 22, it is to be understood that two or more such rack members 21 can be assembled to each contact member 22. Further, it is to be understood that only one rack member 21 can be secured to a contact member 22 and another means secured thereto to be complementary to that rack member 21 as will be obvious hereinafter.

As illustrated [in FIGURES 1 and 2, the members 23 to be anodized can each be placed between adjacent rack members 21 by having one end 48 thereof disposed in a V-shaped notch 37 formed in the web portion 27 of the lower rack member 21 and the other end 49 thereof placed in the V-shaped notch 27 for-med in the finger 33 of the upper rack member 21 which is aligned with the respective lower V-sh-aped notch 37.

The length of each member 23 is slightly greater than the distance between the aligned V-shaped notches 37 whereby the finger 33 must be flexed upwardly to allow the member 23 to be placed therein in the manner illustr-ated in FIGURE 2 so that the natural resiliency of the finger 33 holds the member 23 in place.

Because the aforementioned epoxy resin 40 is ductal, the same is adapted to withstand flexing of the spring fingers 33 without cracking or breaking off therefrom.

After the rack construction 20 is loaded by the members 23 in the above manner, the same are adapted to be disposed in the anodizing bath 25 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 so that the members 23 can be anodized in a manner conventional in the art.

Because the majority of the surfaces of the rack members 21 is covered by the epoxy resin 40, the corrosive action of the .bath 25 can only attack the flat portions of the V-shaped notches 37 of the track members 21.

Therefore, as each rack construction 20 is utilized, the corrosive action of the anodizing bath 25 eats away at the exposed flat portions of the V-shaped notches 37 of the rack members 21 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 11 whereby the protective coating 40 subsequently extends slightly beyond the same as illustrated in FIGURES l1 and 12.

However, the coating 40 is relatively brittle, whereby subsequent loading of the rack construction 20 by the members 23 causes the extended coating 40 to flake away in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14 so that good electrical contact is provided between the members 23 and the rack members 21 to permit the aforementioned anodizing operation.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved anodizing rack construction has been provided wherein the same has a relatively long life and still readily permits good electrical contact between the appropriate parts thereof and the members to be anodized.

Further, the track construction is so constructed and arranged that the parts to be anodized are held in place by resilient fingers and should the flanges 32 of the resilient fingers 33 be eaten away, the flexing of the fingers 33 permits a particular rack construction 20 to be utilized for a longer period of time.

However, should the distance between the V-shaped notches 37 on adjacent rack members 21 become too great for proper loading of the members 23, one of the rack members 21 can be readily adjusted relative to the other rack member 21 by merely loosening the bolts thereof and sliding the rack member 21 toward the other rack member 21 the desired distance. Thereafter, the moved rack member 21 can be held in its new position upon subsequent tightening of the bolts 47.

Therefore, it can be seen that the rack constructions of this invention are relatively flexible in the application thereof so that not only can the same adapt themselves to the same type of members to be anodized, but also the same can receive members of different sizes by a simple and rapid adjustment of the rack members 21 thereof relative to the contact members 22.

While the rack construction 20 previously described has been illustrated as having only one contact member 22, it is to be understood that more contact members 22 can be provided by merely removing the fingers 33 in the proper portion thereof and utilizing yoke members 41 in the manner previously described.

For example, FIGURE 7 illustrates another rack construction of this invention generally indicated by the reference numeral 20a wherein parts thereof similar to the rack construction 20 are indicated by like reference numerals followed'by the reference letter a.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, two contact members 22a are utilized to hold adjacent rack members 21a relative to each other.

Further, should it be desired to hold larger members 23 between adjacent rack members 21 than would be provided by the spacing 34 between adjacent fingers 33, alternate fingers 33 of the rack member 21 can be removed in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 10 to provide a rack member for holding larger objects than the rack member 21 previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that the rack members 21 of this invention can be modified in any suitable manner to provide for special applications thereof as desired.

In addition, where it is desired to anodize members of varying configurations, the desired number of spring fingers 33 can be cut from a member 21 and subsequently bolted to a desired rack structure in any desired spaced thereof to perform the above holding feature.

Accordingly, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved anodizing rack construction as well as improved parts therefor or the like.

Further, this invention provides an improved method of making such an anodizing rack construction and parts therefor or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. An anodizing rack construction comprising an elongated contact member, and a pair of like rack members secured in spaced relation to said contact member and disposed transversely relative thereto, each rack member having an elongated web portion provided with opposed edges, one of said edges of each rack member having a plurality of V-shaped notches formed therein and spaced from each other, the other of said edges of each rack member having a plurality of arcuate and resilient fingers extending outwardly therefrom, each finger having an outwardly directed flange at the free end thereof and provided with a V-shaped notch, said rack members being so arranged that each notch in the flanges of one of said rack members faces a notch in the web portion of the other rack member.

2. An anodizing rack construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein a protective coating covers said rack members except in the region of said V-shaped notches and in the area where said rack members engage said contact member.

3. An anodizing rack construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein an epoxy resin covers said rack members except in the region of said V-shaped notches and in the area where said rack members engage said con tact member.

4. An anodizing rack construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein each rack member is secured to said contact member by a yoke member disposed on the side of said contact member opposite to a respective rack member and carrying means interconnected to the respective rack member to compress said contact member between said yoke member and the respective rack member.

5. An anodizing rack construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said yoke member is covered by a protective coating.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

MURRAY TILLMAN, Examiner. D. R. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ANODIZING RACK CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN ELONGATED CONTACT MEMBER, AND A PAIR OF LIKE RACK MEMBERS SECURED IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID CONTACT MEMBER AND DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THERETO, EACH RACK MEMBER HAVING AN ELONGATED WEB PORTION PROVIDED WITH OPPOSED EDGES, ONE OF SAID EDGES OF EACH RACH MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF V-SHAPED NOTCHES FORMED THEREIN AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, THE OTHER OF SAID EDGES OF SAID RACK MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF ARCUATE AND RESILIENT FINGERS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, EACH FINGER HAVING AN OUT- 